Effective period / Period of releases: 1965 - 1973

Members: René Letarte, Dany Bolduc, Moustique (2), André Fortin (2), Claude Falardeau

Changed their name to "Les Kanto" at the end of their career.

This Quebec Canada ensemble was created in the early sixties. The founding members were Claude Falardeau, Aurèle Bolduc and his brother Guy Bolduc: three guitarists. They made their debut with drummer Marcel Lebel. René Letarte joined the group a year later. Upon their resignation, Marcel and Guy were replaced by André Fortin from Jonquière and Pierre "Moustique ou Mousse" Paquet from Quebec.

Their 45RPM appeared in 1964 on the label Première. They will experience their first great success with their composition Découragé and the song Feuille De Gui by Jean-Pierre Ferland; two sides of the same record at the top of the charts. Nicknamed the "Seigneurs Nouvelle Vague". In addition to obtaining the award "Qualité Sur Disques" in 1969, they were elected Group of the Year. They performed on the biggest stages in Quebec at the time: Comédie canadienne, Place des Arts and the most fashionable cabarets. In 1970, they were invited for two weeks to the Universal Exhibition in Osaka, Japan.

The Bel Canto produced four authentic albums of which most of the songs are original creations as well as about twenty 45RPM, the majority of which occupied the first positions of the charts of the time. Une Croix sur mon Nom, Quand Revenirs-tu?, Bonsoir à Demain, Seul, Coui-coui, are just a few successful titles for which René Letarte (d'Antoine), bass player and lyricist of the group, wrote all the texts.

Various compilations have been made since the breakup of the group in 1971, but a new album has recently appeared on the market under the title: Les Bel Canto 1962-1971 - Nos Préférées (Disques Mérite 22-947). A selection of their best achievements according to a unanimous choice of the five members of the group. A biography is currently being written. The Bel Canto made only one return to the stage, at the Saint-Jérôme arena, in 1985.